JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Both the Joko Widodo – Ma’ruf Amin and Prabowo Subianto – Sandiaga Uno pairs are pushing for a peaceful general election next year. At the same time, both pairs cite the economy as among the country’s most serious challenges.
Two pairs of presidential and vice presidential candidates for next year’s election registered at the General Elections Commission (KPU) office in Jakarta on Friday (10/8/2018). President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and his running mate, influential Muslim cleric Ma’ruf Amin, arrived at the KPU office on Friday morning. After the Friday’s prayer, former general Prabowo Subianto and businessman Sandiaga Uno followed suit. Both pairs conveyed the same hope in their speech, namely that the electoral contestation next year would be peaceful.
Both pairs reaffirmed that higher economic growth and equality would be among their top priorities.
The statements were made amid persistent economic hurdles, including poverty and gap.
In March 2018, 25.95 million Indonesians were poor. Of this amount, 15.81 million reside in rural areas. The country’s Gini ratio shows that gap in rural areas increased from 0.32 in Sept. 2017 to 0.324 in March 2018.
Outside of domestic challenges, Indonesia is also facing pressures from global uncertainties. Consequently, the country had a trade balance deficit of US$1.02 billion in January-June 2018. This triggered a current account deficit of US$5.54 billion, 2.5 percent of the gross domestic product, in the first quarter this year.
Democracy
The Jokowi-Ma’ruf pair arrived at the KPU office with leaders of the seven political parties that proposed them: the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), the Golkar Party, the Nasdem Party, the People’s Conscience Party (Hanura), the United Development Party (PPP), the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the Indonesian Justice and Unity Party (PKPI). Jokowi and Ma’ruf were also accompanied by leaders of two supporting parties: the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) and the United Indonesia Party (Perindo).
Three hours later, after the Friday’s prayer, Prabowo and Sandiaga arrived with leaders of four proposing parties: the Gerindra Party, the National Mandate Party (PAN), the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and the Democratic Party. The Berkarya Party, which supports the pair, also came. A recent KPU regulation stipulates that only political parties participating in the 2014 election can propose candidates for the 2019 election.
After examining the pairs’ registration documents, the KPU declared both pairs to be eligible in contesting the election.
Both pairs held press conferences after submitting their registration documents. In their respective press conferences, Jokowi and Prabowo said that democratic practices should be carried out peacefully.
Jokowi urged all Indonesians to make the 2019 elections a joyful celebration of democracy. He said that democracy should be a battleground of ideas, track records and achievements and not be used
to spread enmity. He continued that political differences should not divide the public and that everyone should safeguard and nurture the nation’s biggest asset: unity.
In his speech, Jokowi also congratulated Prabowo and Sandiaga. “Both of them, along with myself and Ma’ruf Amin, wish to fight for the nation’s progress,” he said.
Meanwhile, Prabowo reaffirmed that democracy is the best form of government for the country. Changes of government leadership must take place safely, peacefully and fairly.
“Elections using ballot boxes is a manifestation of people’s sovereignty. We should never disparage people’s rights,” Prabowo said.
Economic challenges
Sandiaga said that he and Prabowo would fight for economic growth and reform that created as many jobs as possible.
Meanwhile, Jokowi and Ma’ruf said that they would reinforce the people’s economy if elected next year.
Separately, Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef) senior economist Aviliani said that stability would be key in ensuring economic growth in the next five years. Pressures from global uncertainties can lead to hurdles in reducing poverty and gaps.
University of Indonesia development economics lecturer Ninasapti Triaswati said that job creation would be among the next administration’s greatest challenges. Companies are cutting jobs and slowly replacing workers with machines and sophisticated technology. To anticipate this, improving human resources will be necessary.
Related to his vice presidential candidacy, Sandiaga on Friday submitted his resignation letter as Jakarta deputy governor.
To fill the vacant position of Jakarta deputy governor, Home Affairs Ministry director general of regional autonomy Soni Sumarsono said that the parties that proposed Sandiaga should submit two replacement names through the Jakarta governor to the city council, for an election. The election result would then be submitted to the Home Affairs Ministry to be approved by the President.